Täuber, born in Erlangen in Bavaria, made his Bundesliga debut for FC Nürnberg in the 1978/79 season. He moved on to Schalke 04 via Stuttgarter Kickers and flourished as a striker with the Royal Blues. He joined Bayer 04 in 1987. In his first season playing for the Black and Reds, Täuber made 23 Bundesliga appearances and scored six goals. The left-footer had his biggest success with the Werkself that season in the UEFA Cup.
After a 3-0 defeat against Espanyol in the first leg of the final, Bayer 04 entertained the Spanish side in Leverkusen. Täuber came off the bench on 62 minutes with the scoreline at 1-0 in place of Tita who was on a yellow card. A minute later he provided the cross for Falko Götz to double the lead at 2-0. The Werkself scored a third to take the game into extra time and penalties. Täuber converted the crucial spot-kick to win the UEFA Cup.
He started the next season at Bayer 04 but was forced to end his career due to injury in November 1988. Following his playing career, he worked as a coach including with the Schalke Reserves and Schwarz-Weiß Essen. Klaus Täuber passed away on Saturday at the age of 65.
Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
Show more
Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
Show more
Rogier Meijer is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and returning to his native Netherlands: The 44-year-old will take over at Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam on 1 July. Meijer has been part of the Werkself coaching set-up since the start of the 2025/26 season - first as assistant coach to Erik ten Hag, then on Kasper Hjulmand's staff.
Show more
Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
Show more
